The winners, the losers, and the ones who didn’t do much – there’s always a mix in club fortunes at the end of the AFL trade period, and this year was particularly frenetic.
Read on for every club’s moves and how they have emerged from 10 days of wheeling and dealing.
New Crow Izak Rankine.Credit:Getty Images
ADELAIDE
In: Izak Rankine (GC), pick 46 (GC), future third-round pick (Coll), future fourth-round pick (GC)
Out: Billy Frampton (Coll), pick 5 (GC), future third-round pick (GC), future fourth-round pick (GC)
Draft picks: 23, 46
Did what they had to do. Got their man Izak Rankine with minimum fuss, and parted ways with pick No.5 to do so. Not bad considering Rankine was a No.3 pick only four years ago and his value has been added to since then.
BRISBANE LIONS
In: Josh Dunkley (WB), Jack Gunston (Haw), Pick 35 (AFL), pick 36 (GC), pick 38 (Geel), pick 48 (Geel), pick 55 (Geel), pick 56 (GC), future second-round pick (Geel), future third-round pick (WB), future fourth-round pick (WB)
Out: Daniel McStay (Coll), Tom Berry (BL), Pick 15 (GWS), pick 46 (GC), future first-round pick (WB), future second-round pick (WB), future second-round pick (GC), future fourth-round pick (Haw)
On-traded: Pick 21 (from GWS to WB), pick 25 (from GC to Geel), pick 48 (from Geel to Haw), future second-round pick (from GWS to GC), future fourth-round pick (from Geel to WB)
Draft picks: 34, 35, 36, 38, 55, 56, 73
Comment: Will be absolutely rapt with their performance. Bringing in quality players like Josh Dunkley and Jack Gunston will only serve to further bolster their premiership ambitions next year. They’re living for the here and now, and rightly so. Their haul of draft picks will also help them match bids for father-son prospects Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher.
CARLTON
In: Blake Acres (Frem), pick 49 (AFL), future fourth-round pick (Ess)
Out: Liam Jones (WB), Will Setterfield (Ess), Pick 68 (Ess), Future third-round pick (Frem)
Draft picks: 10, 29, 49, 66
Comment: A pretty quiet trade period for the Blues, but plugged a hole on the wing by bringing in Blake Acres, and officially jettisoned the formerly retired Liam Jones, as well as Will Setterfield, who aren’t in their best 22 anyway.
COLLINGWOOD
In: Tom Mitchell (Haw), Daniel McStay (BL), Bobby Hill (GWS), Billy Frampton (Adel), pick 25 (Geel), pick 27 (Melb)
Out: Brodie Grundy (Melb), Oliver Henry (Geel), Pick 43 (GWS), Pick 50 (Haw), Future second-round pick (GWS), Future third-round pick (Adel)
On-traded: Pick 41 (from GWS to Haw)
Draft picks: 16, 25, 27, 51
Comment: A mixed performance from the Pies who find themselves partly paying yet another high-profile player in Brodie Grundy to play for another club, in what is their latest example of gross list management incompetence following on from the Adam Treloar affair. They also lost emerging forward Oliver Henry to the Cats. But adding ball magnet Tom Mitchell to their midfield is a big tick, and they’ll be hoping Daniel McStay and Bobby Hill will add some stiffness and dynamism respectively to their forward line.
Tom Mitchell joined Collingwood on the last day of the trade period.Credit:The Age
ESSENDON
In: Sam Weideman (Melb), Will Setterfield (Carl), pick 54 (Melb), pick 68 (Carl), pick 72 (Melb) future fourth-round pick (Syd)
Out: Aaron Francis (Syd), pick 42 (Syd), future fourth-round pick (Carl)
On-traded: Pick 37 (from Syd to Melb)
Draft picks: 4, 22, 54, 62, 68, 72
Comment: Like Carlton, not much to report at the Hangar, other than to say that the Bombers also filled a few needs by acquiring Sam Weideman, who will be viewed as additional support for Peter Wright and Harrison Jones up forward, and Will Setterfield, who provides another big-bodied midfielder they’ve been crying out for.
FREMANTLE
In: Luke Jackson (Melb), Jaeger O’Meara (Haw), Josh Corbett (GC), pick 30 (WB), pick 44 (Melb), pick 67 (Melb), future second-round pick (NM), future second-round pick (WB), future third-round pick (NM), future third-round pick (Carl), future fourth-round pick (NM)
Out: Rory Lobb (WB), Blake Acres (Carl), Griffin Logue (NM), Darcy Tucker (NM), Lloyd Meek (Haw), pick 13 (Melb), future first-round pick (Melb), future second-round pick (Melb), future second-round pick (Haw), future third-round pick (NM), future fourth-round pick (GC)
Draft picks: 30, 44, 67, 76
Comment: There is no doubt that the Dockers should view themselves as legitimate top-four prospects next year after adding Luke Jackson and Jaeger O’Meara to a midfield that already features Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong, Nat Fyfe, Will Brodie and Sean Darcy – that’s a formidable unit. They did part ways with four best-22 players in Rory Lobb, Acres, Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker, so there might be a few teething problems early as the new-look team becomes familiar with each other, but those concerns should only be short-lived.
GEELONG
In: Oliver Henry (Coll), Tanner Bruhn (GWS), Jack Bowes (GC), pick 7 (GC)
Out: Cooper Stephens (Haw), pick 18 (GWS), pick 38 (BL), pick 48 (BL), pick 55 (BL), future second-round pick (BL), future third-round pick (GC), future fourth-round pick (BL)
On-traded: Pick 25 (from BL to Coll)
Draft picks: 7, 58, 64
Comment: It almost doesn’t seem fair that the reigning premiers add three former first-round picks to their list, while also snaring pick No.7 for practically nothing as part of the Suns’ infamous “salary dump” trade, yet here we are. Full credit to the Cats who have not sat still in their ambition to defend their title next year, replenishing their stocks with more youth in Henry, Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes. They’re going to be right in the mix again in 2023.
GOLD COAST
In: Ben Long (StK), Tom Berry (BL), pick 5 (Adel), future second-round pick (BL), future third-round pick (Adel), future third-round pick (Geel), future fourth-round pick (Adel), future fourth-round pick (StK)
Out: Izak Rankine (Adel), Jack Bowes (Geel), Josh Corbett (Frem), pick 7 (Geel), pick 25 (BL), pick 32 (StK), pick 36 (BL), pick 56 (BL)
On-traded: Pick 46 (from BL to Adel), future fourth-round pick (from Frem to Adel)
Draft picks: 5, 45, 71, 74
Comment: It’s hard to get past the salary cap mismanagement that led the Suns to gift the reigning premiers Bowes and pick seven for a future third-round pick in what is one of the most lopsided trades in history. The departure of Rankine also hurts, but Corbett was just a depth player, and with Ben King back next year, his opportunities would’ve been even scarcer. Ben Long adds some toughness to their backline.
GWS
In: Toby Bedford (Melb), pick 1 (NM), pick 15 (BL), pick 18 (Geel), pick 19 (Rich), pick 31 (Rich), pick 57 (PA), future first-round pick (Rich)
Out: Tim Taranto (Rich), Jacob Hopper (Rich), Bobby Hill (Coll), Tanner Bruhn (Geel), pick 3 (NM), pick 21 (BL), pick 41 (Coll), pick 63 (Rich), future second-round pick (BL)
On-traded: Pick 12 (from Rich to WC), pick 44 (from Coll to Melb), pick 54 (from PA to Rich), future second-round pick (from Coll to PA)
Draft picks: 1, 15, 18, 19, 31, 57, 61
Comment: Like the Suns, GWS were one of the big disappointments of the trade period. The revolving door at Giants Stadium was in full swing, as it seems to always be at this time of year, with star midfield duo Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper joining Richmond, Hill crossing to the Pies and Bruhn the Cats. Yes, they now have four picks in the top 20 – No.1, 15, 18 and 19 (although one won’t be one after the Lions get Ashcroft) – but who’s to say those four players won’t be elsewhere in three-four years’ time? It’s a huge concern for the Giants.
HAWTHORN
In: Karl Amon (PA), Lloyd Meek (Frem), Cooper Stephens (Geel), pick 41 (Coll), pick 48 (BL), pick 50 (Coll), future second-round pick (Frem), future fourth-round pick (BL)
Out: Jack Gunston (BL), Tom Mitchell (Coll), Jaeger O’Meara (Frem)
Draft picks: 6, 24, 41, 48, 50, 52, 65
Comment: The Hawks are clearly in rebuild mode now after parting ways with Gunston, Mitchell and O’Meara, on top of the retirements of Ben McEvoy and Liam Shiels, as well as the delisting of Kyle Hartigan. At this stage, Luke Breust is the only Hawk who will be older than 30 when next season begins. Karl Amon is a good pick-up, having been one of Port Adelaide’s best players the last two years, and Lloyd Meek adds more support for the emerging Ned Reeves and Max Lynch in the ruck.
MELBOURNE
In: Brodie Grundy (Coll), Lachie Hunter (WB), Josh Schache (WB), pick 13 (Frem), pick 37 (Ess), future first-round pick (Frem), future second-round pick (Frem)
Out: Luke Jackson (Frem), Jayden Hunt (WC), Sam Weideman (Ess), Toby Bedford (GWS), pick 33 (PA), pick 43 (PA), pick 54 (Ess), Pick 67 (Frem), pick 72 (Ess), future third-round pick (WB), future fourth-round pick (WB)
On-traded: Pick 27 (from PA to Coll), pick 44 (from GWS to Frem), pick 53 (from AFL to PA)
Draft picks: 13, 37
Comment: A bit of a case of “six of one, half a dozen of the other” in the ruck department. On the one hand, they suffered a bitter blow in losing Jackson, but they did pick up Grundy who could numb the pain if he manages to recapture his All-Australian form in tandem with Max Gawn, especially as the Demons still find themselves in premiership contention. Lachie Hunter is a steal for a third-round pick and Josh Schache will add some depth in the big man department after the Dees also lost Weideman. Jayden Hunt had a great year down back, so his exit was slightly surprising.
NORTH MELBOURNE
In: Griffin Logue (Frem), Darcy Tucker (Frem), pick 2 (WC), pick 3 (GWS), pick 40 (WC), pick 43 (PA), future first-round pick (PA), future third-round pick (Frem)
Out: Jason Horne-Francis (PA), pick 1 (GWS), future second-round pick (Frem), future third-round pick (Frem), future third-round pick (PA), future fourth-round pick (Frem)
Draft picks: 2, 3, 40, 43, 59, 70
Comment: Must be bitterly disappointed to lose Jason Horne-Francis less than 12 months after welcoming him to Arden Street, but he never seemed settled, and the Roos have essentially turned him and pick No.1 into picks two and three at this year’s draft as well as a 2023 first-rounder. Logue and Tucker are handy acquisitions and should add some desperately needed quality to the struggling outfit.
Jason Horne-Francis’ frustration was obvious during a rugged maiden season at Arden Street.Credit:Getty Images
PORT ADELAIDE
In: Jason Horne-Francis (NM), Junior Rioli (WC), pick 33 (Melb), future second-round pick (GWS), future third-round pick (NM)
Out: Karl Amon (Haw), pick 8 (WC), pick 57 (GWS), future first-round pick (NM), future second-round pick (WC), future third-round pick (WC)
On-traded: Pick 27 (from AFL to Melb), pick 43 (from Melb to NM), pick 54 (from Melb to GWS)
Draft picks: 33, 60
Comment: And at the other end of the spectrum, the Power would be over the moon to get their hands on Horne-Francis so early into his career. There’s no doubt they would’ve expected to land him eventually, but to get him in before he even turns 20 is a huge boost. And former Eagle Junior Rioli could also be an inspired addition up forward if he gets back to his premiership-winning best. Amon is a decent loss, though, after leading the team for Brownlow votes this year.
RICHMOND
In: Tim Taranto (GWS), Jacob Hopper (GWS), pick 53 (GWS), pick 63 (GWS)
Out: Pick 12 (GWS), pick 19 (GWS), pick 31 (GWS), future first-round pick (GWS)
Draft picks: 53, 63
Comment: They might have traded out their future, but the Tigers are all about the now, and rightfully so considering they still have many valuable pieces to remain in premiership contention. Adding Taranto and Hopper to that mix will definitely keep them in the window. The former GWS duo will link up with Shai Bolton, Dion Prestia, Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Toby Nankervis to form one of the more potent midfield mixes in the AFL.
ST KILDA
In: Zaine Cordy (WB), pick 32 (GC)
Out: Ben Long (GC), Future fourth-round pick (GC)
Draft picks: 9, 28, 32, 47
Comment: Fairly uneventful period for the Saints, who brought in Zaine Cordy to further strengthen their backline and offer more support to key backs Callum Wilkie and Dougal Howard, and look set to head to the draft with a top-10 pick.
SYDNEY
In: Aaron Francis (Ess), pick 42 (Ess)
Out: Pick 37 (Ess), future fourth-round pick (Ess)
Draft picks: 14, 17, 42, 75
Comment: Another club that wasn’t very active, but their grand final smashing at the hands of the Cats highlighted that their backline needs additional reinforcements, so Aaron Francis could be the answer after seven frustrating years with the Dons. The Swans have a great track record of getting the best out of maligned players, so you wouldn’t bet against them doing the same with the former No.6 pick. Two first-round selections for a runner-up is good going, too.
WEST COAST
In: Jayden Hunt (Melb), pick 8 (PA), pick 12 (GWS), future second-round pick (PA), future third-round pick (PA)
Out: Junior Rioli (PA), pick 2 (NM), pick 40 (NM)
Draft picks: 8, 12, 20, 26
Comment: The Eagles lost a lot of talent and class from their forward line with Rioli joining the Power, but received some speed and flair with the acquisition of Hunt. Raised some eyebrows by “splitting” pick No.2, but now have three selections in the top 20 this year to give themselves another bite at the talent cherry.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
In: Rory Lobb (Frem), Liam Jones (Carl), pick 21 (BL), future first-round pick (BL), future second-round pick (BL), future third-round pick (Melb), future fourth-round pick (BL)
Out: Josh Dunkley (BL), Lachie Hunter (Melb), Zaine Cordy (StK), Josh Schache (Melb), pick 30 (Frem), future second-round pick (Frem), future third-round pick (BL)
On-traded: Future fourth-round pick (from Melb to BL)
Draft picks: 11, 21, 39, 69
Comment: It’s never a happy day when you bid farewell to a premiership trio, while Schache also played in the 2021 grand final, don’t forget. Dunkley and Hunter were key cogs in the Bulldogs’ vaunted midfield for many years, while Cordy was a mainstay down back for just as long. But by bringing in bookends Lobb and Jones, the Dogs will feel as though they have been able to cover the losses of Cordy and Schache. Given Lobb and Jones will be 30 and 32 respectively by the time the season begins, the Dogs obviously feel they are still in premiership mode. With the likes of Aaron Naughton, Tim English, Sam Darcy, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Josh Bruce, Alex Keath and Ryan Gardner also on the list, the Dogs are now awash with key position options.
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